Metal container



Patented Jan. 19, 1943 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE METAL CONTAINER.

Edwin G. Gaynor, Fairfield, Conn.

Application June 22, 1940, Serial No. 341,915

5 Claims. (01. 220-67) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in metal containers and has particular relation to a metal housing or container for an electricity valve used with a fluorescent lamp and which container is adapted to fit in the cable in the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing a container made in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken as along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the blank from which an end of the container is formed;

Fig. 4 is a View showing the manner of applying either end to the container; and

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional View.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the container of the invention comprises an elongated tubular body it) which, as shown in Fig. 2, is substantially rectangular with its corners rounded and is also somewhat elongated in transverse section. This container is constructed to be received in the usual cable raceway used in electrical wiring and as such raceways are of limited dimensions, a container of minimum cross-section is necessary.

The body I is formed from a single piece of sheet metal bent or rolled to the proper shape and the longitudinal edges I l and [2 are brought into substantially abutting relation forming a seam i3 extending longitudinally of the body along one of the narrow edges thereof and serving to prevent the circulation of eddy currents about the girth of the body. Adjacent each end the body is pierced to provide each of its end portions with similarly located openings.

A pair of such openings are designated l4 and i and they are located adjacent to and equidistant from the edges H and 12 respectively. An

opening 15 is located approximately 90 degrees from the openings Hi and I5 and is in a side wall H of the container preferably approximately midway the edges of such wall. Yet another opening I0 is found in the side wall [9 and as shown, is located substantially opposite the opening 16 and approximately 279 degrees with respect to the openings l4 and IS.

The ends of the body it are closed by removable ends or end plates 20 and 2i respectively. Each such end is formed. from blank such as is shown in Fig. 3 and the same includes a platelike portion 2?: of a size and shape to substantially close an end of the body 10 and carrying an ear or mounting means to be used in securing the container to a base or support. The ear 23 is lcerfed as at M for the passage of securing means the end plate 22 is provided on one transverse edge with a pair of lugs and 26 and on one longitudinal edge with a lug 2'! and on the opposite longitudinal edge and substantially opposite to the lug 2? with a lug 23.

When the ends 2e and 2! are in place, it will be clear that the mounting portions or cars 23 of the respective ends have been bent along the dotted line 29 of Fig. 3 in opposite directions in order to form the ends for proper location in the respective end portions of the container. In the assembly the lugs and 2B are disposed in the openings i4 and i5. ihe lug 28 is disposed in the opening it and the lug 21 is disposed in the opening Iii.

Since the plate-d ke portion 22 of an end is of a size and shape substantially equal to the inside of the body it, it will be appar t that when the lugs are in the openings as described, the respective ends are securely attached to the container and close the end portions of the same. The mounting portions or ears oi the ends and 2| project beyond the ends of container body 50 and preferably slightly offset as at see Fig. 5) whe y the kerfed portions of such ears are sul tantially in aiigninent with the rear wail it of the container and will thus lie fiat against any holder or support to which the container is attached. Terminal or lead openings 3! are provided in the plate-like portions 22 of the ends.

With the construction described, the ends 20 and 2i are easily inserted in place and are easily removable therefrom. Fig. 4 suggests the man ner which the ends are applied or inserted and there it will be noted that the lugs 25 and 26 are in the openings 14 and I5 and that the lug 28 is in the opening it. However, since the plate 2?. is of a contour similar in shape and dimensions to the inside of the body Hi, the lug 27 is against the end edge of the wall [9 of the body. The end 2| is applied to the extent indicated in Fig. 4 simply by grasping the ear 23 and simultaneously inserting the lugs 25, 2S, and 28 into the proper openings. Thereafter a small screw driver or the like is used as a pry and inserted over the ear 23 and under the wall [9 to spring the latter out a bit and permit of the lug 27 passing under said wall into alignment with the opening [8.

On withdrawal of the pry, the container springs back to shape so that the lug I 8 is located in the opening 21. Should occasion require that the end be at any time removed, wall I9 is again pried or sprung outwardly to free the lug 21 from the opening l3 whereupon on pulling the ear 23, the entire end may be removed from the container.

It will be apparent that owing to the size and contour of the plate 22 with respect to the inner dimensions of the body, the spring-like action of the body will retain the plate in position since it maintains the lugs in the respective openings. The pair of lugs 25 and 26 being located at opposite sides of the seam 23, serve mechanicaily to secure the body l together by preventing opening of said seam. Ears 23 are used when applying or removing the ends 20 and 2| as well as serving as a means for the mounting of the container. From the above it will be clear that I have provided a simple and inexpensive structure particularly suited for the use intended.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a metal container of the class described, a tubular body of a cross-sectional configuration and size to be received in the usual cable raceways used in electrical wiring, said body comprising a piece of metal having its ends arranged in substantially abutting relation forming a seam along one wall of the body, said body having a pair of openings through said wall near an end and adjacent to and equidistant from the respective edges of said seam, said body having other openings in its sides near said end and spaced approximately 90 and 270 degrees respectively from said seam, an end in said container comprising a metal plate of a contour and size substantially the same as that of the inside of the body, lugs on said end disposed in all of said openings, said lugs in the openings at the respective edges of the seam maintaining tie seam fixed, and a mounting ear on said end and projecting beyond the container.

2. In a metal container of the class described, a tubular transversely rectangular body of a cross-sectional configuration and size to be received in the usual cable raceways used in electrical wiring, said body comprising a piece of metal having its edges arranged in substantially abutting relation forming a seam along one side of the body, said body having a pair of openings near its end and located one immediately at each side of said seam, said body having openings in each of two other of its side Walls, and end in said container and comprising a metal plate of a contour and size similar to that of the inside of the body, lugs on the edges of said plate and disposed one in each of said openings, said lugs in the openings at the respective edges of the seam maintaining the seam fixed, and a mounting ear on said end and projecting beyond the container.

3. In a metal container of the class described, a tubular transversely elongated body of a crosssectional configuration and size to be receivedin the usual cable raceways used in electrical wiring, said body having an open scam in one of its edge walls, said body having a pair of openings through said edge wall near an end of the body and located one at each side of said seam, said body having openings in each of two other of its side walls, an end in said container and comprising a metal plate of a contour and size similar to that of the inside of the body, lugs on the edges of said plate and disposed one in each of said openings, said lugs in the openings at the respective edges of the seam maintaining the seam fixed, and a mounting car on said end and projecting beyond the container.

4. In a metal container of the class described, a tubular transverse elongated body of a crosssectional configuration and size to be received in the usual cable raceways used in electrical wiring, said body having an open seam in one of its edge walls, said body having a pair of openings through said edge wall near an end of the body and located one at each side of said seam, said body having openings in its opposite side walls near said end, an end in said container and of a contour and size similar to that of the inside of the container, lugs on said end and disposed one in each of said openings, said lugs in the openings at the respective edges of the seam maintaining the seam fixed, and a mounting car on said end and projecting beyond the container.

5. In a metal container of the class described, a tubular body of a cross-sectional configuration and size to be received in the usual cable raceways used in electrical wiring, said body comprising a piece of metal having its ends arranged in substantially abutting relation forming a seam along one wall of the body, said body having a pair of openings through said wall near an end and adjacent to and equidistant from the respective edges of said seam, said body having other openings in its sides near said end and spaced approximately and 270 degrees respectively from said seam, an end in 'said container and comprising a metal plate of a contour and size substantially the same as that of the inside of the body and having lugs disposed in all of said openings, said lugs in the openings at the respective edges of the seam maintaining the seam fixed, a mounting car on said end and projecting beyond the container, and said container adapted to spring whereby a wall thereof may be forced outwardly to permit said end to be disposed in the container with said lugs in the openings and thereafter on release of said wall spring back to normal position to secure said end in position with its lugs in said openings.

EDWIN G. GAYNOR,v 

